Applications for aid4.

(1)

An application for aid shall be made in writing at such time and in such form and shall contain such information as the Scottish Ministers may require.

(2)

An application for aid under paragraph (1) shall include–

(a)

a copy of an environmental audit carried out in relation to the eligible land to which the application relates;

(b)

a map which shows all of that land and which identifies all flora and fauna, landscape and water features and archaeological features;

(c)

a map which shows any flora and fauna, landscape and water features and archaeological features relevant to the activities which the applicant proposes to undertake;

(d)

a description of those activities and the flora and fauna which are expected to benefit;

(e)

where the environmental audit identifies moorland which would benefit from management and the applicant proposes to undertake any activities to benefit all or any part of the identified moorland, a moorland management plan for the relevant period in relation to all or any part of the identified moorland;

(f)

an estimate of the aid to be sought for such activities for each year of the proposed undertaking;

(g)

the proposed date of commencement of the undertaking; and

(h)

where an application is made by a grazings committee–

(i)

the written consent of a majority of the crofters ordinarily resident in the township and sharing in the common grazing the subject of the application;

(ii)

evidence that notice has been given in accordance with regulation 5(4); and

(iii)

confirmation from the Crofters Commission that it has approved the application or, as the case may be, has received no representation under regulation 5(5).

(3)

The Scottish Ministers may at any time suspend the operation of the scheme provided for by these Regulations and, while so suspended, no application under paragraph (1) may be submitted to them.